Wildlife biologists in the Nilgiris have photographed a shrew species thought extinct for over 200 years, raising hopes for its rediscovery. The Sonnerat’s shrew, first described in 1813 near Puducherry by French naturalist Pierre Sonnerat, had never been seen alive or collected since. \n\nOn October 1, 2022, researchers found a dead shrew near Ooty Lake in Udhagamandalam. The shrew looked very different from other local species. It had silky grey fur and a distinct white band across its middle. Its short, stubby tail matched the original description of a female Sonnerat’s shrew. \n\nResearchers N. Moinudheen and colleagues published their findings in the Iranian Journal of Animal Biosystematics, calling it a "rediscovery" of the elusive mammal. They showed the photos to international experts Anthony Cheke and Paula Jenkins. Both said the fur pattern was unique and unlikely due to partial leucism, a genetic condition. \n\nStill, no physical specimen was collected, so the rediscovery is not confirmed. Attempts to find more shrews have failed. The photographed shrew was also found 350 km from the original location, so researchers did not rule out the possibility it was transported from elsewhere. \n\nMoinudheen said this finding hints that the Sonnerat’s shrew may live in a wider range, including the Nilgiris and Eastern Ghats. He emphasized the need for focused trapping and genetic testing to verify the species. \n\nSamson Arockianathan from Bombay Natural History Society called the photo evidence "the first credible scientific proof" of this species in over two centuries. He added the unique fur pattern supports the idea it is different from all known Indian shrews. Expanded surveys and DNA analysis are underway to confirm the identity and learn more about this mysterious creature’s habitat.